1. Executive Summary Purpose: 7th training camp is designed as the first part of 4 last training camps before the World Championships YYYY. Objectives: After evaluating the competitive period that ended with WC ZZZZ, data that were collected has shown us the necessity to give an extra effort on the plan of better mental preparation for the upcoming main goal of the season, the World Championships. Considering a situation that we are working without professional sports psychologist aid; part of this training camp will be dedicated to the theoretical lessons in the area of Mental Management System and its practical application. Due to the volume of this topic, it will be divided and carried out through this and next training camp. Furthermore, there will be observation and evaluation of part of the training camp designed in the result-orientated tasks, combined with mental components. This training camp is designed as follows:
1. First, 1/3 will consist of free individual training, 2. The second 1/3 will be a combination of mental preparation and "training of
basic skills” and 3. The last 1/3 will have individual tasks combined with mental management.
Main findings: As the team has just finished two weeks of physical training in ZZZ it was necessary to make a "slow" technical start. Group has very well responded through this part of the activities, but it is evident that we will need some days to get them back in the usual individual level of performance. The theoretical part and discussion we had, clearly stated that there is a rather significant lack of mental engagement of almost all shooters, mainly for the two reasons; lack of understanding of how important this area is in their sports activity and lack of knowledge in this area and its practical application. The end of the training camp was showing some progress in this area, but still, there is a job ahead of us to be done. On the technical side, most of the shooters were showing good progress and were able to get closer to their optimal form frame. Key recommendations: Practising mental preparation during the period between this and next training camp that will take place in a week's time.
The seventh training camp is the first of the four training camps before the World Championships. Special attention will be given to mental preparation and its practical application. All activities will be subject to daily evaluation and recommendations.
Description of training
Women will train AP and SP; while men will train AP and a combination of FP/STD/RFP. Daily training will be conducted accordingly to the timetable delivered in advance.
Training Objectives
Identify individual form and needs, introduce various individual tactical tasks, result-orientated tasks, and insist on mental preparation technique.
For the first 7 days, like most of the shooters, XX was with a low-performance level. This was expected due to the previous period of physical training camp. Remaining days of this camp he was up to the performance and result level and given tasks.
Recommendation:
Recommendations were in the direction of better and more focused mental work. Also, analysis with SCATT to identify actual technical needs.
Outcome:
Once XX was up to the normal working routine, combined with mental preparation, the performance level was on the desired level. This fact had a consequence that the result level was growing in the desired direction. I would say that XX, at this time is exactly on the level he should be.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 97-97-96-98-68=456 Mix Team test – 97-96-96-100=389
Athlete opinion/reaction
XX was pleased with this training camp and had no complaints.
It was necessary several days for XX to find his usual form. Once, this period was behind him, he was again on his usual performance and result level. Nevertheless, there was a need for an extra intervention to get him focusing more on his performance topics instead of his muscle activities.
Recommendation:
The rational use of his concentration was again demonstrated through recommendation. Mental management at a higher level was another suggestion.
Outcome:
As soon, as he was able to apply given recommendations, his performance level was progressing. He was showing all the qualities he possess as one of the best pistol shooters in the world. He did very good work.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 98-96-99-97-68=458 Mix Team test – 99-97-97-96=389
Athlete opinion/reaction
XX was pleased with the outcome of this training camp.
Through the first week he was not able to make any significant work worth his quality level. Some brilliant moments were a reminder of why he is part of this team, but that was all. The last 1/3 of the camp showed his potential and he was able to manage his mental process in a much better way.
Recommendation:
As it was the main topic of this training camp, mental management and preparation was the key recommendation. He was also advised to improve his lifting technique, with better control over the first sequence.
Outcome:
After succeeding to integrate given recommendations XX was able to show his great potential and capacity. It is also fair to say that he needs some more time to stabilize new elements, both mental and technical.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 95-97-96-97-68=453 Mix Team test – 95-97-96-97=385
Athlete opinion/reaction
XX was without any objections about this training camp and he was glad for learning new skills.
Jet another training camp where XX was showing that he can stay with a positive attitude. Technically he was suffering in the first parts of the training camp, but the final stage was performed with a high level of quality work followed by a high result level. It seems that XX is slowly stabilizing his emotional approach and mental control over his game.
Recommendation:
Mental management control was the only recommendation given to him as a task to obtain.
Outcome:
During theoretical presentations, he stated that all presented material was true and correct, but he did not agree with it. It was rather difficult to understand in which direction he was heading when giving such contradictory statements. Anyhow, last days of the camp I gave him higher tasks and ask him to follow given instructions and he was showing great progress. XX is a very special and complex personality and it is not always an easy task to find a solution for his needs.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 95-94-96-97-68=448 Mix Team test – 96-97-100-96=389
Athlete opinion/reaction
XX did not have any complaints about training camp.
YY needed some days to find her usual training rhythm, but after that, she was, as usual, herself; some training sessions were better than others and her engagement was not too high. Perhaps she is more tired than she appears to be. The last third of the training camp went much better with a higher level of dedication and she was controlling her training units very well.
Recommendation:
She was advised to engage with a higher level of dedication and self-discipline, especially in her mental work out. Technically she was without any major mistakes, so there was no need to give recommendations.
Outcome:
I can’t state that there is any visible change in her mental preparation system, meaning that I am not sure if she was applying any of the given instructions. Anyhow her performance during given tasks was on a satisfactory level with great room for improvement.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 98-95-96-99-67=455 Mix Team test – 96-99-96-96=387 SP precision 26 shots – 50-49-48-50-50-10=257 SP rapid 27 shots – 49-50-48-49-49-20=265
Athlete opinion/reaction
YY was satisfied with the outcome of this training camp.
YY was showing all signs of a psychological slump phase. She was tired, with a changing mood and lack of motivation. I had a long talk with her, on day 3 of the camp. We spoke about her situation and possible solutions. Following days, she was acting much better. Anyhow, day 9 of the training camp, she visited a psychology specialist and got proper advice and supplementary medication. From the 2/3 of the training camp, she was getting better and better in her mental preparation with a clear reflection on more steady result performance. Ending days of the training camp she was appearing with a high level of self-confidence and a very positive attitude.
Recommendation:
Recommendations were given in the direction of improving her positive attitude and applying detailed mental preparation techniques.
Outcome:
She was showing all elements of her great potential and was able by the end of the training camp to regain control over her mental strength and fulfilling given result tasks. Few shots that were with low result value during the rapid stage are not something to be worried about.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – did not participate (visiting psychology specialist) Mix Team test – 96-99-96-97=385 SP precision 26 shots – 49-47-48-48-49-9=250 SP rapid 27 shots – 50-45(6)-49-50-48-19=261
Athlete opinion/reaction
YY was happy with the outcome of this training camp as she "found a solution to the overall situation", as she stated.
During the entire training camp, YY did not function on the level we were expecting from her. It was very difficult to find the reason for this situation. She is exclusively focused on the rapid stage of SP and is neglecting efforts on SP precision and AP. I guess that she is overdoing her training approach and not following instructions that were suggested. Anyhow, I hope she will be able to return to a better performance level during the next training camp.
Recommendation:
As the major goal for this training camp is on mental preparation, she was advised to work on this plan.
Outcome:
Unfortunately, I am not able to record any positive outcome during this training camp. She is too much focused on the technical part, missing the larger picture.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 93-91-95-92-67=438 Mix Team test – 87-94-93-96=370 SP precision 26 shots – 48-49-46-47-47-9=246 SP rapid 27 shots – 48-49-49-47-49-19=261
Athlete opinion/reaction
YY did not have any complaints about this training camp.
The start of the training camp was, like for most of the shooters difficult and her performance form was rather low, as well as her result level. Last third of the training camp she was able to improve her performance and was working very hard on the mental technique. She is making development, but there is still significant room for her progress.
Recommendation:
She was recommended to include serious work in her mental preparation, using the tools we were discussing during our theoretical lessons.
Outcome:
Once she was physically recovered and was able to include mental preparation into her routine, her performance was growing and results were getting on the desired level.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 95-97-96-95-64=447 Mix Team test – 91-94-94-95=374 SP precision 26 shots – 48-48-49-48-49-9=251 SP rapid 27 shots – 46-49-49-47-49-20=260
The start of the training camp did not go differently than for the other shooters, it was a low start. YY was very interested in theoretical lessons and was looking forward with great enthusiasm to implement it in her daily routine. The last third of the training camp gave several very excellent training units, rising hope that she is on the way to achieve her top form. Despite these optimistic signals, there is still a great deal of work ahead of her, especially in stabilizing her training units on a similar performance and result level.
Recommendation:
She was advised to implement mental management system into her daily routine and training units.
Outcome:
It was nice to see how she was growing in her daily training units from day to day. She reported that mental preparation was very useful in her routine of delivering the shot and that was the reason that she could meet almost all given tasks.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 97-97-98-96-67=455 Mix Team test – 96-95-95-96=382 SP precision 26 shots – 50-48-49-50-50-10=257 SP rapid 27 shots – 49-48-48-47-50-20=262
Athlete opinion/reaction
She did not have any complaints about the training camp.
During the entire training camp, YY could not find stability in her performance modus. From the training unit to the training unit she was oscillating with great amplitude, from excellent to the total novice level. My opinion is that she is trying too hard to find a copy/paste model and repeat her good result from WC ZZZZ. This is a diminishing expression of her capacity to train systematically, which granted her with that excellent result. I will give special attention to her training units at the next training camp, to regulate this process.
Recommendation:
Recommendations were given in to a direction of mental preparation, with an exclusive focus on performance goal setting.
Outcome:
YY was not able, at least in the majority of the training units to cope with this situation. The real reason is that she will need a bit more time to find her way of this application.
Result of test tasks & match:
AP 47 shots test – 95-95-94-94-64=442 Mix Team test – 92-91-93-91=367 SP precision 26 shots – 49-47-48-49-50-9=252 SP rapid 27 shots – 50-49-48-48-50-19=264
Athlete opinion/reaction
YY was OK with training camp and is looking forward to the next one.
4. Additional information Travel & accommodation info
Transport and accommodation were on a satisfactory level, without any remarks or complaints.
Social behaviour - team
Social behaviour was in the line of top professional athletes, without any misconduct.
General comments
During the first couple of days, it was evident that all shooters were tired and suffering from various levels of fatigue. The training camp was conducted with a high level of engagement of all parts involved. The positive attitude was dominant in the work, as well as very serious and dedicated professional behaviour.
5. Conclusion and Recommendation The seventh training camp has characterized the following elements: 1. Shooters had a longer break from technical training due to the fact that they have been for two weeks on the physical training in ZZZ. 2. It took a much longer time than on any previous camp, for the shooters to return to their normal technical routine. Training activities have been carried out with a professional and high level of engagement, despite the lower form that they have been showing in this period. I believe that this was a very necessary "drop down" in the form, as it gave a possibility for the shooters to be more relaxed and more introspective in their own mental state at present. Theoretical lessons have raised several issues for each one in their individual aspect. As the time for these lessons was quite restricted (done in spare/free time) it was necessary to make clear that we will complete this topic during the next training camp. Valuable information is gathered on an individual basis, mostly assessing their recovery time and recovery method regarding their performance level. This information will be useful in planning the content of the next 3 training camps with an aim that we will have fully prepared shooters for the World Championships. At this stage, it is not necessary to record a more detailed opinion about single shooters, as this info is not relevant to their development as it is for the process of planning. Concerning work with assigned assistants, YY & XX, I am pleased with the co-operation and working progress. Their engagement was very welcomed and useful.
